The Houston Zoo is once again mourning the loss of one of its resident orangutans. On Sunday morning, the zoo's 52-year-old orangutan, Cheyenne, died unexpectedly. Zoo officials said after Cheyenne suddenly became ill,

52-year-old orangutan, Cheyenne underwent an emergency veterinary examination on Sunday morning, Jan. 9, 2025, to help diagnose and treat a sudden illness. During the exam, evidence of a severe kidney infection was found, and she received initial treatment, according to the Houston Zoo blog post.

Cheyenne arrived at the Houston Zoo when she was 21 and quickly became a favorite among staff and visitors with her "intelligent and strong-willed" personality.

Cheyenne, a 52-year-old orangutan at the Houston Zoo, died from complications of a kidney infection, the zoo said.

The Houston Zoo had to say goodbye to the oldest orangutan at the facility after she died unexpectedly. Cheyenne, who was 52 years old, had an emergency veterinary examination Sunday morning after she came down with a sudden sickness.